Rafael Dos Anjos Answers Call, Stops Jason High

Rafael dos Anjos had his five-fight win streak snapped earlier this year at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov, but he made sure to start a new one Saturday night, finishing Jason High at UFC Fight Night 42.

Dos Anjos (21-7) improved to 10-5 with the UFC, but is 10-3 in his last 13 overall. He has now earned three knockout victories in his career.

The loss to Nurmagomedov stopped his momentum towards a possible title shot, but dos Anjos was able to have a little fun during the post-fight interview when asked who he wanted next.

“No idea,” he first said. “I am here to fight the best. If Cain Velasquez stepped on the scale and made 155, I would fight him. I will fight anyone.”

Velasquez is the current UFC heavyweight champion.

For dos Anjos, an ever-improving wrestling game helped him keep High off balance, but it was his striking that did the most damage. He caught him with a shot midway through the second that floored the “Kansas City Bandit.”

“I got here two weeks ago (to get familiar with the altitude of New Mexico),” he said. “It was still hard to breath. I always try to get better. My background is jiu-jitsu, but I am trying to get better as a wrestler, with Muay Thai.”

The loss for High (18-5) snapped his two-fight win streak. He was also shown on-camera shoving referee Kevin Mulhall after the stoppage.